There has been no better or more consistent actor over the last few years than that of Matthew McConaughey. It’s a fact! From someone who started a bright early career and worked with the likes of such quality directors as Richard Linklater, John Sayles, Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, he soon drifted into the dreaded rom-com territory that’s no better than drifting into obscurity altogether. His reputation wasn’t amounting to his early promise and it seemed he would never recover. So when did it all go right for him then? Well, in 2011, he got back in tow with Linklater to do “Bernie” and followed that up with dark and blisteringly brave performances in William Friedkin’s “Killer Joe“, Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Magic Mike“. It didn’t stop there, though. He continued his solid work in Jeff Nichols’ “Mud” and a brief but excellent role in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf Of Wall Street” before finally delivering this awards laden performance in “Dallas Buyers Club“. The resurrection of his career is complete and McConaughey’s work has now, rightfully, gained the respect of critics and viewers alike.

The true story of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a hard-drinking, homophobic, Texan Rodeo Rider who discovers one day that he’s HIV positive. He’s given 30 days to live but he point-blank refuses to accept it and learns all he can about the disease and gets involved in backmarket medicine that’s been proven to help – instead of the government issued treatment that was actually harming patients.

In making it to the screen, the extraordinary true story of Ron Woodroof was one that was fraught with production problems. In the mid 90’s it had Woody Harrelson attached to the lead with Dennis Hopper on directing duties before it’s financial backing fell through. It then crossed the path of director Marc Forster with Brad Pitt taking on Woodroof. That also fell through before Craig Gillespie and Ryan Gosling entered into talks in 2008. Before anything was decided French/Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée signed up and cast Matthew McConaughey in what’s, arguably, the most powerful role he’s ever had. Ron Woodroof is a fascinating character and McConaughey’s embodiment of him is a tour-de-force performance. Dropping 47lbs, McConaughey’s transformation is astonishing. He looks gaunt, withered and seriously ill and masterfully captures both the impending fate of Woodroof and his drive to survive. In order to survive, though, he had to go against medical practice and fight for the right to treat himself with drugs that were unapproved by the government. In doing so, he became somewhat of a saviour to AIDS victims across America during the 80’s despite the government and the law fighting him at every step.

It’s an extraordinary story that’s depicted with heart and passion and being shot on a relative shoestring budget, adds to it’s palpable sense of realism. Granted, with a script that’s lay in limbo for 20 years or so, there are some creaks and cracks and some slight distortions of facts and dramatic licence on show but this is a film that has a voice and one that demands to be heard. In fact, it’s still relevant today. Not just for the community of HIV sufferers but across the treatment of many illnesses. An example being, the government’s refusal to accept that cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes and that it’s oils are known to help in cancer treatment. This, of course, doesn’t suit the pharmaceutical companies and the business to be made from their “legalised” products. Comparisons have been made between “Dallas Buyer’s Club” and Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” but I reckon the comparison extends further to Michael Mann’s “The Insider” and another example of the small man fighting corporate business, as Jeffrey Wigand did with the tobacco industry.

Comparisons aside, this is still a strong piece of work and it benefits massively from it’s committed performers. Too often an actors physical transformation can suggest that that’s enough to merit a great performance but McConaughey is more than that here. His acting, really is, top quality stuff and he’s supported by Jared Leto with equally impressive commitment. These two actors have been sweeping the awards boards of late and if they go on to win the Oscar, I certainly wouldn’t be arguing about it.

Mark Walker

Trivia: Jared Leto lost 30lbs and stayed in character as Rayon throughout filming. At one point, he went grocery shopping in character at a local Whole Foods where he received numerous stares and double takes.

75 Responses to “Dallas Buyers Club”

Great review–I agree Matthew does a great acting job as well as Jared Leto. Painful to see the usual buff MM gaunt–he must have watched Bale in The Machinist and The Fighter and thought starving would help his career. 😉

Thanks Josh! There were a few hiccups that stood out for me narratively and I thought the ending was slightly rushed but the actors were spot on, man. I’m hoping McConaughey takes the Oscar for this. He deserves it. As well as recognition for all his work over the last few years.

I’m not so sure about Leto. I thought his performance was great but his character was a little stereotypical and underwritten. That could go against him come Oscar time. I’m still leaving towards Fassbender but whoever wins, it’ll be hard to argue against them.

The film did an excellent job of portraying the extent of humiliation, fear & even a bit of the hysteria over aids in the late 80’s.
McConaughey was so thin it was uncomfortable for me to watch him. Amazed at how a few pounds can spell the difference between good & bad looks.

Great review, Mark. I wasn’t as imporessed with this movie as a whole but it’s hard to deny McConaughey’s impact. He’s superb. Didn’t know of all the actors and directors that were once attached to the project. That’s very interesting.

If anything, this movie is totally worth seeing for what Leto and McConaughey are able to do here with their roles and the material they’re given. Nice to see that they’ll probably get some awards-love out of the bargain, too. Good review Mark.

Nice review. Still need to check this out but I’ve heard nothing but praise for McConaughey’s performance. I know this has been said a million times before, but he’s becoming one of the best actors today.

Thanks man! Everything that’s been said of McConaughey is thoroughly deserving. He’s outstanding in this film and I certainly having him riding high on my list of favourite actors working today. He miraculously gets better and better with every film.

Cheers Sati. I’m hoping McConaughey takes the Oscar too. There have been some outstanding performances over the year but Matt’s is definitely the most powerful. Just can’t get enough of this guy right now.

It does have shades of Philadelphia like the injustices and prejudices that aids suffers face but it was the struggle of it that reminded me of The Insider. Great film, Ruth, and one that McConaughey deserves the utmost credit for.

Thanks Abbi. I left out mentioning The Lincoln Laywer as, even though it was good film, it still had Mconaughey doing a straight role whereas all the others mentioned, he started to push himself more. It’s been a great reversal of his career over the last few years. Long may it continue.

Great review Mark. This is a very impressive film and my personal favourite of the Oscar’s selection so far (I’m yet to see Her). McConaughey is on top form and certainly deserves the best actor trophy.

Thank you miss! I think McConaughey deserves it too but the film itself doesn’t even make my top ten (shamefully, as I really liked it)
My favourite of the year is actually Her. Should have a review tomorrow.

Rock solid review Mark. I thought this was a pretty good movie but the real gold is in the performances. I felt the story itself begins to splinter in the second half but even during that time the performances remain top notch.

Cheers Bro. Totally agree that gold is the performances. I struggled a bit with the dramatic license and the rushed ending but McConaughey was simply sublime. I thought Leto was great too but his character was a little stereotypical and drafted in to jerk the tears I thought.

Great piece man, you already know what I’ve said about it and it’s much the same as this. Good note about the physical transformations, as well. That part is shocking, yes, but the performances speak volumes above just a physical change. It’s great to see and made the emotional quota that much higher. A powerful film for sure.

McConaughey fans take note! His best may not be “Dallas…” but “True Detective” currently on HBO. I know it’s a TV series but my wife and I say it’s “must see”. His co-star and co-producer is Woody Harrelson. Powerful stuff and “Oscar” calibre acting from both stars.
Mark, if you’re a McConaughey devotee this could easily become a favorite. Excellent review as always.

Hey Ray, nice to see you, man. I have been converted into a McConaughey devotee. I think his performances have been of an exceptionally high standard over the last of years and believe me, once I get my mitts on “True Detective” I’ll be all over it. It looks fantastic and can’t wait to stuck in. Thanks man!

Great review of an amazing movie. Only thing which annoyed me in the movie was the poster of the Lamborghini in the hotel…this was set in the eighties and nineties, but the poster was of a present day Lambo….